On April 8, a total solar eclipse will impact communities across the U.S., beginning in Texas and ending for U.S. communities in Maine. The “In the Path of Totality” program awarded grants of $10,000 each to Main Street America accredited and affiliate communities located within the path of totality – the areas set to experience the total eclipse.
Hillsboro’s Main Street program has announced that it was one of only 15 awardees.
This grant program, funded by the Simons Foundation, presents a unique opportunity for Main Street communities to create meaningful and memorable experiences for residents as they also host visitors for the total solar eclipse.
In addition to the $10,000 award, the grant also paid for Allyson Cliett, special projects coordinator for the City of Hillsboro, to attend the American Astronomical Society’s two-day Solar Eclipse Planning Workshop in San Antonio, where she connected with astronomers, astrophotographers, science writers, researchers and other winners of the “In the Path of Totality” grant.
“It was truly an honor to mix and mingle with the world’s foremost experts on total eclipses,” said Cliett, “and it was a joy to meet other community eclipse planners who do what I do. I learned so much and have made lifelong friends and invaluable connections.”
Hillsboro Main Street was awarded the grant to fund a science engagement bar crawl called “Starlight Bar Night,” which will be held Thursday night, April 4, just four days before the total eclipse.
“We strategically scheduled the event on Thursday, before the massive influx of tourists we expect to arrive in Hillsboro for Monday’s eclipse,” said Cliett. “This way, we can focus on providing an experience that caters to our local people. There is so much planning underway to accommodate visitors; the “In the Path of Totality” grant has allowed us to develop an engaging, science-based event, primarily for our residents.”
“Starlight Bar Night” will take place across six venues in Hillsboro’s Main Street district from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Branded Burger will host a custom sci-fi and astronomy trivia night emceed by Geeks Who Drink. Overflow Coffee Company will offer space-themed craft cocktails, a starry atmosphere and a jazz band, Noah Alvarado and the Starlight Quintet. Wrangler’s will feature celestial karaoke, outer space ambiance and cosmic beverages.
Astronomy educators from Stars & Science Austin will set up a mobile planetarium at Historic City Hall and will present a workshop on totality. The Eagle Historic Warehouse will host a wine and art class in which attendees will be guided through a painting of a total eclipse scene. Finally, family-friendly space documentaries and movies will be shown on an outdoor screen at The Hillsboro Truck Yard.
Starlight Bar Night is just one activity funded by the “In the Path of Totality” grant. Other events to be announced soon include a “Star Party in the Park” on April 5 and day-of-eclipse activities at Wallace Park and in downtown Hillsboro on April 8.
The Simons Foundation supports efforts that enable people to re-imagine and expand their relationship with science outside the traditional classroom setting. This program is intentionally designed for Main Street communities to actively engage residents in science as part of their community programming, and it offers an opportunity for Hillsboro Main Street to directly connect with others across the country in the path of totality which will all be experiencing the full eclipse and planning related events.
“By bringing these Main Streets together and providing financial and capacity-building support to them and more, we’re helping ensure that people have an unforgettable shared experience,” said Ivvet Modinou, vice president of the Science, Society & Culture Division at the Simons Foundation.
“While the entire country will witness a partial eclipse on April 8, we’re focusing our efforts within the path of totality: the narrow strip of Earth that the moon will cast its shadow upon when it crosses the sun’s orbit. We’re spotlighting towns — from Texas to Maine — that fall in this narrow path because we believe that everyone should have an opportunity to engage with science in a place they call home.”
For more information about Starlight Bar Night and other eclipse events in Hillsboro, subscribe to the Eclipseboro newsletter at http://www.eclipse boro.com and follow the group on Facebook and Instagram.
The Lakelander 